It was reported earlier in the week that Kreider could miss up to a month with a broken hand. It’s not clear if “indefinitely” could mean longer than that.

However long he’s out, the Rangers will miss him. The 22-year-old winger has 17 goals and 20 assists in 66 games, his 37 points ranking him sixth in team scoring.

Winners of five straight, New York is currently in a battle with Philadelphia for second place in the Metropolitan Division, a spot that would come with home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs against whichever team finishes third.

Miller will be a quality two-way forward. It’s difficult to be in constant transition between the AHL and MSG (arguably the toughest home arena in terms of pressure). I think he’ll get much better as the season winds down and he has consistent ice-time.

Miller played alright the other night, but there is no positive spin to be had here… Kreider, at this moment in time, is a far superior player compared to Miller. This loss hurts the Rangers going forward, and if there is any positive at all its that the Rangers have been winning lately even with their star players being cold. That won’t last forever though….

JT Miller is a very good hockey player. Doesn’t have the speed, the shot, the physical heft that Kreider has. But I would surely put his hockey sense above Kreider’s —- Miller’s play without the puck is far better. No question Kreider will be missed, and no question that he is the better player. But Miller has a lot of tools, and maybe the upside of this downer injury to a blossoming power forward will be his chance to make a lasting mark for the NYR.